Tuesday, June 23, 2015

Spain Tour Update- Including Chaperone and Shadow Tour Info

Dear Shaker Band Parents, Students, and Friends,
We have had an overwhelmingly positive response for the 2016 Spain Tour registration.  We currently have over 300 people registered for the tour.  This is quickly shaping up to be one of the largest and most exciting international tours yet for the Shaker Band. As of today, GrandTours has secured enough air seats for all registered students/staff/potential chaperones and is now working to secure additional group air seats for the Family & Friends Tour.

During the month of May, Mr. Dan Crain and Mr. Bill Hughes, Shaker Band Directors, travelled to Spain on a site inspection tour.  We are happy to report that we have some incredible performance venues for the tour, including joint exchange concerts with local Spanish bands.  We took the time to ensure that all locations the band will visit are safe, appropriate, educational and of cultural significance.  While we know that we cannot cover all that Spain has to offer, we are confident that this tour will provide everyone with an authentic and enduring perspective of Spain.

Family & Friends Tour (Shadow Tour)
While registering student travelers, several adults indicated their interest in the Family & Friends tour (shadow tour).  Once GrandTours finalizes the group air space for this program, enrollment will be limited to the number of seats that can be secured.  If you have already registered and indicated that you want to be part of the Family & Friends Tour, you will eventually receive a separate e-mail indicating the final tour price and that your registration is confirmed. In order to make things easier for everyone, we have decided to use the same registration site for the Family & Friends Tour.  

The registration website is www.regonline.com/1602shaker
The passcode is 1602. 

Please check the appropriate box indicating that you are registering for the Family & Friends Tour. If you already registered as a Family & Friends Tour participant, while registering your student, then you need to take no further action as GrandTours has the information needed at this time.

NEW FAMILY & FRIENDS TOUR REGISTRATION NOTE: IF USING THE SAME E-MAIL YOU ORIGINALLY USED TO REGISTER YOUR SON/DAUGHTER, USE THE “START A NEW REGISTRATION” LINK ONCE YOU ENTER THE SYSTEM. YOU WILL THEN HAVE YOUR ABILITY TO ADD YOUR REGISTRATION TO THE EXISTING STUDENT REGISTRATION RECORD.

Family & Friends Tour Pricing: Please be advised that the Family & Friends Tour pricing will be somewhat higher than the student program due to more expensive group air space, upgraded hotels, and an anticipated smaller number of passengers on the motor coaches. GrandTours will publish a final tour price to all Family & Friends Tour participants once group air space is secured. All F&F tour invoices will be adjusted to the final price once it is published. You may choose to cancel your F&F tour registration with a full refund until September 30.

We estimate the Family & Friends Pricing to be:
·         $3495 (Payment by check)
·         $3650 (Payment by debit/credit card)
·         Land-only TBA once group air is secured
·         $395 Single Room Supplement (Payment by check)
·         $410 Single Room Supplement (Payment by debit/credit card)

Payment due dates and the cancellation policy will be published on your tour invoice.

Chaperones
We have had an equally impressive number of adults indicate that they are interested in participating as chaperones on the tour and we would like to thank everyone in advance for your willingness to help our students.  The band directors are currently in the process of reviewing chaperone needs based on the number of students registered.  If you have indicated that you are interested in being a chaperone, the band directors will contact you directly by the end of July. 

We are looking forwarding to an exciting international tour experience.  If you have any questions regarding the Spain tour, please contact Mr. Crain via e-mail at Crain_d@shaker.org, or at the high school band office (216) – 295 – 4233.  We hope everyone has a safe and enjoyable summer. 

Sincerely,
Dan Crain & Bill Hughes
Shaker Heights Band Directors